Last year, I reviewed Mariëlle S. Smith gratitude journal here so was thrilled to be asked by Rachel’s Random Resources to review her latest journal, 52 Weeks of Writing Author Journal and Planner, Vol. II
BOOK REVIEW: 52 WEEKS OF WRITING AUTHOR JOURNAL AND PLANNER, VOL. II BY MARIËLLE S. SMITH
Title: 52 Weeks of Writing Author Journal and Planner, Vol. II
Author: Mariëlle S. Smith
Publisher: Indie
Genre: Writing Self-help
Release date: 21st Nov 2021
BLURB
‘With this book by your side, anything feels possible.’ Jacqueline Brown
Tired of not having a sustainable writing practice? You, too, can get out of your own way and become the writer you’re meant to be!
52 Weeks of Writing:
- makes you plan, track, reflect on, and improve your progress and goals for an entire year;
- helps you unravel the truth about why you aren’t where you want to be; and
- keeps you writing through weekly thought-provoking quotes and prompts.
With this second volume of the 52 Weeks of Writing Author Journal and Planner, writing coach and writer Mariëlle S. Smith brings you the same successful strategies to craft the perfect writing practice as she did in the first journal. The only difference? Fifty-three different writing quotes and prompts and a brand-new look!
Purchase Links
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P8SJ8FK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08P8SJ8FK
https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08P8SJ8FK
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08P8SJ8FK
A printable PDF is available through: https://payhip.com/b/0YgJ Get 50% off until 31 March 2021 by using the coupon code 52WOW during checkout.
MY THOUGHTS
I’m in love with this journal and even though I’m only a few of weeks in, as long as I can keep reminding my grasshopper brain to keep filling it in, I know it will help keep me focused on my long-term goals of being a writer and encouraged to keep going. It will also help me explore and dig deeper into my writing and the reasons for doing it.
The journal’s objectives are clearly explained in the introduction and Mariëlle S. Smith is encouraging and friendly, making it feel you have someone on your side. I was excited to begin. I have the pdf version which can be printed out, but a physical copy is also available. The layout of the journal is clear and being purple, which is my favourite colour, it felt personal even before my stickers and coloured pens came out to personalise it some more.
As the title suggests, it covers 52 weeks and each week begins with a writing quote to motivate you and ends with optional writing prompts and exercises. Recently, I was introduced to general journaling and was amazed at how liberating and revealing it was to free write on topics. This is a superb extension of that. Some prompts will push my boundaries not only in respects to my writing but my emotions around it. For example, the second week deals with fear. Fear is a large part of why I procrastinate, but exploring this helped put it in perspective, silence my inner critic and move forward even if I will need to be reminded about it again and again.
In the first week long-term goals for ten years, five, down to 3 months are set. This made me focus on where I want to be and gave me a boost to get cracking. The journal checks in on these goals every three months for you to reflect on them and see if you are on track or need to adapt. The empathise is that these goals are fluid, which helps relieve some pressure I know as a writer I can put on myself which can end up being of being counterproductive. One failure at hitting a goal can snowball into nothing getting done because of guilt and emotion. The aim of this journal is to keep things realistic.
WOULD I RECOMMEND?
Yes, if you want something to keep your goals, thoughts and plans in place while being urged to explore your writing more. It would suit writers who love journaling. It provides a helping hand to keep things grounded and prevents you being overwhelmed.
Reading Mariëlle S. Smith also has a book on the use of tarot, I need to explore her back catalogue some more.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Mariëlle S. Smith is a coach for writers and other creatives, an editor, and a writer. Early 2019, she moved to Cyprus, an island in the Mediterranean Sea, where she organises private writer’s retreats, is inspired 24/7, and feeds more stray cats than she can count.
Social Media Links –
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mswordsmith
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariellessmith/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtnYOpjmj83mvMM2L348F1w
Have you used a writing journal? How do you find them, let me know below.
Thank you Rachel’s Random Resources for this advanced copy to review and give my honest and unbiased opinion.
Happy writing!
Love
This review also appears on From Under the Duvet.
Kate Kenzie Writes 